10 College Costs That No One Warned You About
The following is a post by one of our interns, Beth Dorn!
We all expect those steep numbers when it comes to tuition, room, and board. We even expect the costs won’t end there; we know the inevitable fees for books, transportation on breaks, meal plans, and dorm supplies will make us reach deep into our pockets when we really don’t want to. Unfortunately, for all us students, the expenses don’t really end there.
The actual cost of attending college is higher than you’d think. Even though some expenses can be reduced when planned for properly, not all of them are able to be bargained down to our liking. Here is a list of 10 fees that you may not have considered when initially thinking about college, but do deserve some serious consideration. Some can really add up!
- Storage Costs in the Summer: After getting those great deals on dorm furniture, where are you supposed to put it in the summer? Some students are lucky if they have extra room in their basements at home; however, others must buy storage space in the summer that can be quite costly. Spend some time analyzing the value of the furniture, the cost of storing it, and the cost of shipping it home.
- Orientation, Graduation, and Parents’ Weekend: For many schools, the first day of class is not the first required day a new student must be at school. Some schools have orientation days mid-summer that involve transportation fees on the student’s end. In addition, parents’ weekends and graduation involve more travel expenses including hotel rooms that are quickly reserved and often marked up on those occasions.
- ATM Fees: Is your bank from home located on campus? If not, you could be paying that unpleasant $2 or $3 each time you withdraw cash. This may be worth changing your bank for a couple of years.
- Parking and Car Upkeep: Even if you’re lucky enough to be within driving distance of school, this does not necessarily mean you’ll skip out on pricey transportation costs. Not only can parking be expensive on a semester or yearly basis, but also other costs such as gas, maintenance fees, and insurance can really add up.
- Season Passes to Sports Games: Many universities known for their athletics charge students to attend games in the regular season and playoffs. Plus, who wants to go to games without showing any school spirit? T-shirts and game-day paraphernalia may be more expensive than you think.
- Library Fees: College libraries tend to be beautiful, modern, and large, and that translates to expensive. Printing and photocopying is usually charged per page and can add up quickly with long lecture notes and study guides. Consider buying a printer and ink to save some money.
- Internships: After all those interviews you finally secured an internship for the semester, but how do you get there? What do you wear? Since many internships are unpaid, transportation fees and business attire may be coming out of your savings.
- Recreation Center Memberships and Classes: Has anyone beaten the freshman 15? Most schools do have gyms on campus, but many would be surprised to learn that memberships are not always included in the tuition. Plus, those yoga and spin classes you’ve always wanted to take may cost more than you’re willing to pay.
- Greek Life and Cultural Clubs: Being a member of a fraternity or sorority can be extremely rewarding, as well as extremely expensive. Dues are not the end of it; expenses such as date parties, Greek gear, and appropriate attire for different functions can be more than you initially thought. Many Greek organizations have scholarships and payment options to help members, so consider those options before opting out altogether.
- Climate Changes: Moving a few states away for college can bring more than a time change – it can also bring a whole new climate. Coats and boots, as well as shorts and sandals, can be expensive if you don’t already have a foundation.
Did any of these hidden costs surprise or alarm you? Have you personally experienced any of these fees? Let us know in the comments below!
Image: Tulane Public Relations
